Method and apparatus for constructing blinds having an operating rod



June 16, 1 4 J. s. WILLIAMSON 3,137,004

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING BLINDS HAVING AN OPERATING ROD Filed Jan. 10, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JOHN S. WILLIAMSON ATTORNEY un 16. 1 4 J. s. WILLIAMSON 3,137,004

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING' BLINDS HAVING AN OPERATING RQD Filed Jan. 10, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3

INVENTOR JOHN S WILLIAMSON ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,137,004 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CUNSTRUCTING BLINDS HAVING AN OPERATING RQD John S. Williamson, Box 189, Hamlet, N.C.

Filed Jan. 10, 1962,'Ser. No. 165,444 A 5 iCiaims. (Cl. 1-78) This, invention relates to habitable buildings and to portions or elements thereof which contribute both to the artistic and aesthetic' effect as Well as to the functional value of the building and relates also to a method of manufacture of such elements.

' The invention relates particularly to shutters or blinds having pivoted louvres or slats capable of being oscillated to provide either parallel or edge to edge relation by means of an operating rod connected to such louvres or slats, and relates also to the method of manufacturing such shutters or blinds.

The manufacture of shutters or blinds has involved a large amount of time and skilled labor, making the cost excessive. Elforts have been made to manufacture shutters or blinds at a reduced cost, such efforts having included the provision of a metal insert for the operating rod which metal insert included portions which could be bent to provide a connection between staples attached to the slats and the operating rod. Devices of this latter type have been of advantage but they have been too complicated and expensive and therefore not fully satisfactory.

It is an object of the invention to provide method and apparatus for producing shutters or blinds each including louvres' or slats and an operating rod for oscillating such louvres or slats and which shutters or blinds can be readily manufactured in large volume at a rapid rate, with minimum effort and at low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, economical semi-automatic method of mass producing shutters or blinds each including an operating rod by preforming a plurality of individual parts, and semi-automatically assembling the parts selectively when desired.

, A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for semi-automatically driving a plurality of staples from a single operating bar or in which a plurality of slats having partially driven hooks can be inserted and the apparatus being capable of driving all of the hooks simultaneously.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the method of constructing a blind according to the present invention;

FIG. 2, an-enlarged fragmentary front elevation of a gang driver with portions broken away;

FIG. 3 a section on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4, an enlarged detail section of the lower portion of one of the driving grooves with a staple therein;

FIG. 5, an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of a slat holding frame; (and FIG. 6, a fragmentary side elevation on a reduced scale of a modified form of gang driver.

Briefly stated, the present inventionis a method and apparatusfor constructing blinds having an operating rod or member and includes producing slats of wood or other. substance, such slats being of the required length and each with a tenon on each end thereof,'providing a hook or "staple having one long leg and one short leg predriving a portion of the long leg into the central portion of the upper surface of each slat, with a space between the free end of the short leg spaced from the slat, placing the required number of slats on a frame or pig at predetermined spacings, providing a thin elongated bar with a plurality of equally spaced staples therein so that only the bight portion of the staple is exposed, connecting the staples of the bar to the hooks of the slats, driving the hooks into the slats until not only the long but also the short leg of the hook is embedded in the wood, and thereafter placing the marginal sides, top, and bottom frame members around the slats to complete the construction of the blind.

With continued reference to the drawings, a strip of wood or other material 10 is provided having a crosssection of any desired shape. A tapered configuration has been found satisfactory with the large end located at the top of the strip and the small end located at the bottom thereof with the corners of the upper and lower ends removed to present a rounded appearance. The strip 10 is divided into a series of slats-11 of predetermined'length. It is noted that a series of slats varying in length from 5 inches to 12 inches in half-inch increments has been found desirable.

After the slat 11 has been separated from the strip 10, it is placed in a conventional tenon machine (not shown) for cutting a tenon 12 on each end and either subsequently or simultaneously driving a staple or hook 13 partially into the central portion of the upper surface of each slat. The book 13 is provided with a long leg 14 and a short leg 15 connected by a bight portion 16. The hook 13 is driven into the slat until the short leg 15 is spaced slightly from such slat leaving an open side. A plurality of different lengths of slats may be formed as described above and stored in selected bins or compartments ready for use.

In order to locate the individual slats in a definite relation, one or more frames or jigs 20 are provided and such frames may be of different lengths to accommodate a predetermined number of slats. Each frame or jig has a plurality of pairs of equally spaced slots or openings 21 in each of which is received a post 22 depending from a separator or spacer 23 mounted on the upper surface of the frame.

The spacers 23 are of generally frusto-conical configuration with side portions having substantially the same taper as the taper of the slats 11 and of a size to space and locate the slats in parallel relation. It has been found desirable to provide slats of a length greater than one inch and to space the individual slats approximately on oneinch centersto obtain a desirable blind. Frames 20 are provided preferably in one-inch increments from a 10 inch length to a 44 inch length.

In order to connect the individual slats so that all of the slats can be operated by a single operating bar, a relatively long thin strip 25 is adapted to pass a gang stapler 26 including a housing 27 in which a plurality of hammers 28 are mounted for reciprocation. All of the hammers 28 within the housing are connected to a single operating bar 29 attached to one or more piston rods 30 in fluid cylinders 31. A feed bar '32 carrying a continuous supply of conventional staples 33 is mounted in cooperative association with each of the hammers 28.

When the strip 25 is in position relative to the housing 27, the cylinders 31 are activated to move the operating bar 2? with the plurality of hammers 28 to drive the end staple from each feed bar 32 into the strip 25. The hammers 28 are located in spaced relation to each other and such spacing is substantially the'same as the spacing between the slats carried by the frame 20.

The staples 33 are driven along the entirelength of the strip 25 and subsequently the strip 25 may be divided into a plurality of operating rods 35 for any desired number of slats with staples therein. The bars 35 may be stored inselected bins or compartments ready for use.

When it is desired to construct a blind of a predetermined length, a frame 20 of the proper length is selected Pawnee June 16, 1964 and slats of the correct length are placed between the spacers 23 and held in an upright position thereby in such a manner that the opposite ends of the slats extend beyond the sides of the frame. When a suflicient number of slats have been placed on the frame, an operating rod 35 of the correct length is selected and placed against the open side of the hooks 13 so that the staples 33 in such rod are in alignment with the short leg of each hook. The bar 35 is then moved toward the hooks until the staples 33 pass under the short legs 15 thereof and then the bar is moved up'and over the bight portion 16 of the hooks until the staples 33 are in engagement with the long legs 14- of such hooks.

The frame 29 is then moved to a position relative to a multi-stapler or gang driver 40 for simultaneously driving the hooks 13 into the slats 11 until the short leg 15 is embedded in theslat 11. The gang driver 40 comprises a housing 41 having a plurality of bores or re ceiving openings 42 located on centers of substantially the same spacing as the slats 11 on the frame Zil.

The housing 41 is provided with a counterbore 43 adapted to receive a cap 44 of generally hollow cylindrical configuration. Within the cap 44 is located a piston 45 pivotally connected by a pin 46 to the upper end of a piston rod or hammer 47. Each cap 44 engages an operating bar 48 having an aperture 49 at each end in which is received a bolt or fastener 53 for slidably connecting the operating bar 48 to the housing 41 for limiting the upward movement of such operating bar.

The operating bar 48 is adapted to be moved downwardly or actuated by one or more pistons 51 operatively carried by fluid cylinders 52. Each cap 44 is maintained in contact with the operating bar 48 by a spring 53 having its lower end located in the bore 42 and its upper end engaging the piston 45 to bias such piston against the cap and the cap against the operating bar 48.

The lower portion of the housing 41 has a cut away portion 55 which reduces the thickness of the housing 41 and exposes the lower portion of multiple slots 56 in which the hammers 47 are received. The slots 56 are open at one side due to the cut away portion 55 in order that such slots may receive the hook forming staples 13 when the slats are moved into contact with the gang driver by the bar 35. When the slats are inposition, cylinders 52 are actuated to force the operating bar 48 downwardly which in turn causes the hammers 47 to engage the hooks 13 and drive such hooks downwardly into the slate until the short legs 15 are firmly embedded therein. The gang driver 40 preferably has sufficient hammers to drivethe hooks into all of the slats simultaneously, although it will be obvious that when a shorter blind is being assembled, some of the hammers will not engage hooks.

When the driving of the hooks has been completed, the frame is moved to an assembly station where sides 60 and 61 having a series of equally spaced apertures 62 are fitted over the tenons of the slats, after which such sides are connected by a top member 63 and a bot tom member 64in any desired manner as by a tongue and groove 65. If desired, the assembled slat may then be given a base coat of paint preparatory to the sale of the slat.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the operating bar 48 of the gang driver 40 may be operated mechanically as by one or more eccentrics or cam members 66 mounted on shafts 67. Rotation of eccentrics 66 causes the operating bar 48 to lower hammers 47 and drive hooks 13 into' changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of manufacturing a shutter or blind having a plurality of slats and an operating rod therefor comprising (a) providing a length of material from which a plu rality of slats can be produced, 7

(1) producing a plurality of slats from said length of material,

(5) providing staples each having a long and a short (1) driving the long leg of a staple part way into the edge of each of the slats, leaving the short leg of the staple spaced from the slat,

(c) providing an operating rod having a plurality of staples spaced along the length thereof according to the spacing of the slats to be operated,

(l) subdividing said operating rod into predetermined lengths,

(d) providing a jig,

(e) placing a series of slats in said jig with the legs of the staples in the same relative position,

(f) placing an operating rod of a length corresponding to the number of slats adjacent theshort legs of the staples,

(g) moving said operating rod to locate the staples therein adjacent to the short legs of the staples in the slats,

(it) moving said operating rod to the opposite sides of the staples in the slats,

(1') providing a gang driver with spaced driving elements for driving the staples having the long and short legs,

(1) placing the slats with the staples having the long and short legs and the driving elements of the driver in relative proximity whereby the driving elements can be operated to complete the driving of said staples, with long and short legs into the slats, and

(j) applying a frame about said slats to complete a shutter or blind.

2. The method of manufacturing a shutter or blind having a plurality of slats and an operating rod comprising (a) producing slats of a predetermined length,

'(1)1 forming tenons on opposite ends of said 5 ats,

. (2) partially driving a hook forming staple into the upper portion of each of said slats,

(b) preparing an operating rod by (1) driving a plurality of staples equally spaced along the length of a relatively long thin strip of material,

(2) severing said strip of material into predetermined lengths,

(c) providing a jig having a plurality of pairs of equally spaced apertures and a tapered spacer mounted in each aperture,

(d) placing a slat between adjacent pairs of spacers carried by said jig with the hooks in the same direction, I

(e) placing an operating rod of 'a predetermined length adjacent to the open portion of said hooks,

(1) moving said rod toward said hooks until the staples therein pass under the short leg of said hooks,

(2) moving said rod up and over the bight portion of said hooks until said staples engage the long legs of said hooks,

(f) moving said frameuntil the hooks are located beneath a gang driver,

(1) operating said gang driver to complete the driving of said hooks, and (g) applying sides and top and bottom members to said slats to complete said blind. 3. A method of manufacturing a shutter or blind comprising (a) providing an operating member with (1) a plurality of staples spaced along the length thereof, and

(2) a plurality of slats each with a long leg partially driven into the slat and a short leg with its extremity spaced from the slat to allow the insertion of a staple on the member to be inserted thereunder,

(3) providing a gang driver with spaced driving elements bringing a series of slats assembled with said operating member and said gang driver in operative relation, and utilizing said gang driver to force the short legs of said staples into said slats.

4. The steps of claim 3 and applying a marginal frame about said slats to complete said shutter or blind.

5. Staple driving mechanism for completing the driving of staples previously applied to a series of spaced elements each of which is connected to a rod by staples therein, said mechanism comprising a body having a plurality of bores extending partially through said body from one side and a slot extending from each of said bores to the opposite side of said body, a hammer slidably mounted within each of said slots, a piston pivotally connected to one end of each of said hammers, spring means in each of said bores for urging said pistons outwardly of said body, an operating bar disposed in spaced relation to said body and being movable relative thereto, said operating bar adapted to limit the movement of said pistons in one direction, means for moving said operating bar relative to said body, said body having a cut-out portion along said opposite side, and said cut-out portion extending inwardly to said slots to permit partially driven staples carried by said elements to be received therein, whereby when the operating bar is moved downwardly said hammers will engage the partially driven staples of said elements and will complete the driving of said staples thereinto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 25,726 Davis Oct. 11, 1859 453,175 Haskins May 26, 1891 623,834 Saunders Apr. 25, 1899 973,370 Michener Oct. 18, 1910 1,184,030 Schmitz May 23, 1916 2,588,738 Lundgren Mar. 11, 1952 2,682,052 Juilfs June 29, 1954 

1. THE METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A SHUTTER OF BLIND HAVING A PLURALITY OF SLATS AND AN OPERATING ROD THEREFOR COMPRISING (A) PROVIDING A LENGTH OF MATERIAL FROM WHICH A PLURALITY OF SLATS CAN BE PRODUCED, (1) PRODUCING A PLURALITY OF SLATS FROM SAID LENGTH OF MATERIAL, (B) PROVIDING STAPLES EACH HAVING A LONG AND A SHORT LEG, (1) DRIVING THE LONG LEG OF A STAPLE PART WAY INTO THE EDGE OF EACH OF THE SLATS, LEAVING THE SHORT LEG OF THE STAPLE SPACED FROM THE SLAT, (C) PROVIDING AN OPERATING ROD HAVING A PLURALITY OF STAPLES SPACED ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOF ACCORDING TO THE SPACING OF THE SLATS TO BE OPERATED, (1) SUBDIVIDING SAID OPERATING ROD INTO PREDETERMINED LENGTHS, (D) PROVIDING A JIG, (E) PLACING A SERIES OF SLATS IN SAID JIG WITH THE LEGS OF THE STAPLES IN THE SAME RELATIVE POSITION, (F) PLACING AN OPERATING ROD OF A LENGTH CORRESPONDING TO THE NUMBER OF SLATS ADJACENT THE SHORT LEGS OF THE STAPLES, (G) MOVING SAID OPERATING ROD TO LOCATE THE STAPLES THEREIN ADJACENT TO THE SHORT LEGS OF THE STAPLES IN THE SLATS, (H) MOVING SAID OPERATING ROD TO THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE STAPLES IN THE SLATS, (I) PROVIDING A GANG DRIVER WITH SPACED DRIVING ELEMENTS FOR DRIVING THE STAPLES HAVING THE LONG AND SHORT LEGS, (1) PLACING THE SLATS WITH THE STAPLES HAVING THE LONG AND SHORT LEGS AND THE DRIVING ELEMENTS OF THE DRIVER IN RELATIVE PROXIMITY WHEREBY THE DRIVING ELEMENTS CAN BE OPERATED TO COMPLETE THE DRIVING OF SAID STAPLES, WITH LONG AND SHORT LEGS INTO THE SLATS, AND (I) APPLYING A FRAME ABOUT SAID SLATS TO COMPLETE A SHUTTER OF BLIND. 